2-year old drama
Published on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 2:09 PM.
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Chatting about my 2-year old with a mommy friend:
catsteevens: I guess it's normal 2-year old drama. He gets so irritated at everything. The kid really needs some ZEN classes. We went to a playdate yesterday morning and he did nothing but scream and/or cry!
It's been extra rough these past couple days....but this morning? He was a joy of a child :P Go figure!
mommy friend: That's exactly how it is. They are the sweetest most beautiful little people you've ever known and then something as simple as putting on their socks will set them off into the most dramatic of tantrums. It's almost funny....but not really :o)
I do these things for him, thinking it makes him happier. The playdates, the mommy group, the local calendar of events for kids.
So when I see him furious, angry, crying, whatever terrible behavior it is at these affairs, I wonder what the hell am I doing?
This past weekend we had two playdates --- one on Friday and the other on Sunday. Friday was at a bounce house play-n-jump place and Sunday at a local park playground. At both places, he was a mess. We had spurts here and there of enjoyment. But at the bounce house place, it took him ONE HOUR to get acclimated. It's not like I had anywhere to go, but one hour of unhappy lil-man just sucks.
I marvel at other moms and their happy children bouncing and playing and then leisurely walking out the door, quietly getting into carseats and going home. These are not real children. I'm convinced they're robots and I'm left wondering, where do I get one?
Labels: I'm the mommy
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I've done 109 out of 132 (I count 130?) random things
Published on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 9:30 AM.
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This (below) is off Facebook. I will be more than happy to elaborate on any of my "X's" (just ask me). Some of them actually make for good post topics.
RULES: You have to answer these honestly, then see how many random things you've done.
Level 1
(x) Smoked A Cigarette
(x) Smoked A Cigar
(x) Kissed A Member Of The Same Sex
(x) Drank Alcohol
SO FAR: 4
Level 2
(x) Are / Been In Love
(x) Been Dumped
( ) Shoplifted (Like from a store? No, never from a store. Otherwise kinda.)
(x) Been Fired
(x) Been In A Fist Fight (I'm not sure if it qualifies as a fist-fight since only two punches were thrown)
SO FAR: 8
Level 3
(x) Had A Crush On An Older Person
(x) Bunked School (Would this be skipped?)
(x) Slept With A Co-worker
(x) Seen Someone / Something Die
SO FAR: 12
Level 4
(x) Had / Have A Crush On someone you met online
(x) Been To Paris
(x) Been To Spain
(x) Been On A Plane
(x) Thrown Up From Drinking
SO FAR: 17
Level 5
(x) Eaten Sushi
( ) Been Snowboarding
( ) Met Someone BECAUSE Of Facebook
(x) Been in a Mosh Pit
SO FAR: 19
Level 6
(x) Taken Pain Killers
(x) Love/Loved Someone Who You Can't Have
(x) Laid On Your Back And Watched Cloud Shapes Go By
( ) Made A Snow Angel (Maybe as a very young child, but I can't remember so it doesn't count)
SO FAR: 22
Level 7
(x) Had A Tea Party (Well, I've been to one, does that count?)
(x) Flown A Kite
(x) Built A Sand Castle
(x) Gone Mudding (Off Roading)
(x) Played Dress Up
SO FAR: 27
Level 8
(x) Jumped Into A Pile Of Leaves
( ) Gone Sledding
(x) Cheated While Playing A Game
(x) Been Lonely
(x) Fallen Asleep At Work / School
SO FAR: 31
Level 9
(x) Watched The Sun Set
( ) Felt An Earthquake
( ) Killed A Snake
SO FAR: 32
Level 10
(x) Been Tickled
(x) Been Robbed / Vandalized
(x) Been Cheated On
(x) Been Misunderstood
SO FAR: 36
Level 11
(x) Won A Contest
(x) Been Suspended From School
(x) Had Detention
(x) Been In A Car / Motorcycle Accident
SO FAR: 40
Level 12
(x) Had / Have Braces
(x) Eaten A Whole Pint Of Ice Cream In One Night
(x) Danced In The Moonlight
SO FAR: 43
Level 13
(x) Hated The Way You Look
(x) Witnessed A Crime
( ) Pole Danced
(x) Questioned Your Heart
(x) Been Obsessed With Post It Notes
SO FAR: 47
Level 14
(x) Squished Barefoot Through The Mud
(x) Been Lost
( ) Been To The Opposite Side Of The World
(x) Swam In The Ocean
(x) Felt Like You Were Dying
SO FAR: 51
Level 15
(x) Cried Yourself To Sleep
(x) Played Cops And Robbers
(x) Recently Colored With Crayons / Colored Pencils / Markers
(x) Sang Karaoke (I have, but it's a blurry memory)
(x) Paid For A Meal With Only Coins
SO FAR: 56
Level 16
(x) Done Something You Told Yourself You Wouldn't
(x) Made Prank Phone Calls
(x) Laughed Until Some Kind Of Beverage Came Out Of Your Nose
(x) Kissed In The Rain
SO FAR: 60
Level 17
(x) Written A Letter To Santa Claus
(x) Watched The Sun Set/Sun Rise With Someone You Care/Cared About
(x) Blown Bubbles
(x) Made A Bonfire On The Beach or Anywhere
SO FAR: 64
Level 18
(x) Crashed A Party
( ) Have Travelled More Than 5 Days With A Car Full Of People (This would be hell for me.)
(x) Gone Rollerskating / Blading
(x) Had A Wish Come True
( ) Been Humped By A Monkey (what the heck kind of question is that?)
SO FAR: 67
Level 19
(x) Worn Pearls
( ) Jumped Off A Bridge
(x) Screamed "Penis" or "Vagina"
( ) Swam With Dolphins
SO FAR: 69
Level 20
(x)Got Your Tongue Stuck To A Pole/Freezer/Ice Cube
( ) Kissed A Fish
(x) Worn The Opposite Sex's Clothes
(x) Sat On A Roof Top
SO FAR: 72
Level 21
(x) Screamed At The Top Of Your Lungs
(x) Done / Attempted A One-Handed Cartwheel
(x) Talked On The Phone For More Than 4 Hours
( ) Recently Stayed Up For A While Talking To Someone You Care About
SO FAR: 75
Level 22
(x) Picked And Ate An Apple Right Off The Tree
(x) Climbed A Tree
(x) Had/Been In A Tree House
(x) Been Scared To Watch Scary Movies Alone
SO FAR: 79
Level 23
(x) Believed In Ghosts
(x) Have had More Then 30 Pairs Of Shoes
(x) Gone Streaking
(x) Visited Jail
SO FAR: 83
Level 24
(x) Played Chicken
(x) Been Pushed Into A Pool With All Your Clothes On
(x) Been Told You're Hot By A Complete Stranger
( ) Broken A Bone
(x) Been Easily Amused
SO FAR: 87
Level 25
(x) Caught A Fish Then Ate It Later
( ) Made A Porn Video/Got Asked To Make One (Porn? Or sex tape? Which is so different!)
(x) Caught A Butterfly
(x) Laughed So Hard You Cried
(x) Cried So Hard You Laughed
SO FAR: 91
Level 26
(x) Mooned/Flashed Someone
(x) Had Someone Moon/Flash You
(x) Cheated On A Test
(x) Forgotten Someone's Name
( ) French Braided Someones Hair
(x) Gone Skinny Dipping
(x) Been Kicked Out Of Your House (By parents? Or roommates?)
SO FAR: 97
Level 27
(x) Rode A Roller Coaster
(x) Went Scuba-Diving/Snorkeling
(x) Had A Cavity
( ) Black-Mailed Someone
( ) Been Black Mailed
SO FAR: 100
Level 28
(x) Been Used
(x) Fell Going Up The Stairs
(x) Licked by A Cat
(x) Bitten Someone
(x) Licked Someone
SO FAR: 105
Level 29
( ) Been Shot At/Or At Gunpoint
(x) Had Sex In The Rain
(x) Flattened Someones Tires
(x) Driven Your Car Until The Fuel Light Came On
(x) Got Five dollars Or Less Worth Of Fuel
TOTAL: 109
Labels: lists
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I wish I had kept his t-shirt
Published on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9:35 AM.
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Today in history: |
And then the trial, where it was evident she was, indeed, COO-KOO. Because thinking about chopping off your husband's penis is one thing, doing it is another.
A few years later, I met John Wayne Bobbitt at a club in South Florida. People would come up to him and ask about his penis. For real. Straight to his face.
I was sitting poolside having drinks with a friend when she nonchalantly says, "I think that's John Wayne Bobbit." I asked her if she wanted to follow him, but she stayed back. Me? Oh I followed...I followed him all through the club.
He moved quickly, with bodyguards and hoochie-mamas in tow. He and his posse hung out at the front of the club for awhile, where I "officially" met him. I was invited to sit in his limo, which I did. A girl came in with me and asked him to autograph her breasts, which he did. With sharpie-pen in hand, he waved towards my breasts, motioning as to whether I wanted mine autographed. "Um, no thanks," I said and quickly got out of the limo.
They had the trunk open and were giving away t-shirts, stickers, and other paraphernalia promoting his porn video. Yes, PORN video.
Labels: livin la vida loca, the society page
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Papa and my baby
Published on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 4:35 PM.
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I'm surprised at how many people are surprised. At me. And my recent decision to let my child travel out-of-state without me (or his father). Why is this such a shocker? Maybe 'cause he is 2? I don't know. It's not like I handed him off to a total stranger.....he was with his GRANDPARENTS! And aunt and cousins and family!!!
For the past few days, we have been minus one child. Just my husband and I and the bebé. You cannot imagine how much I got done (loads and loads of laundry)! Two-year-olds absorb an ENORMOUS amount of your time and attention.
Which he was very happy about. And I'm happy that he's happy.
We celebrated in the the evening and spent time with my family --- my parents, my brother, sister-in-law and her family.
I know someone who probably didn't miss his brother all that much, especially because he got all the love and attention. And boy did we cover him with smooches.
Labels: bambinos, la familia
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The SSR and Spaaahhhh
Published on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 1:06 PM.
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While on our recent trip, we didn't have neither the time (we were only there a few days) nor technically the money (got the villa at a discount [thanks KVR!]). Even with the discount, the villa was still a splurge and I loved it! It was nice to enjoy a luxury stay. I'm not saying you can't do it on a budget, but if you're going to spend time with the Mouse, trust me, it's best to go all out.
The villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (SSRS) are absolutely gorgeous. While this particular trip was more family than Disney, I can't wait to go back. In the meantime, I'll have to save my pennies and wait until the boys are older (the older they are, the saner I'll be....I hope).
For those interested, here are my pictures of our 2-bedroom villa at SSRS -
The living room, kitchen, and dining area
The master bedroom (with a king size bed)
The master bath included a shower and a jacuzzi tub
The jacuzzi tub was my favorite part of the whole villa!
Here is the second bedroom (with two queen size beds)
All the villas had a private balcony ---
And the balcony was the perfect spot to sit and watch the sunset --- 
And if you're REALLY interested, then check out the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) at http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc
Labels: resort living
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M-I-C-K-EE-YYY MOUSE
Published on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:06 PM.
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We're off to spend some time with Mickey and the gang.
One of my biggest DON'Ts is about going to Disney during the summer months.
Too crowded, too hot.
But.....we're going. I'm going. We're off! And I'm happy to go and have some fun. Just a little anxious since this is my first "trip" with both boys. I'm sure it'll be fine. HAKUNA MATATA!
We reserved a 2-bedroom villa which I'm hoping is very spacious and comfy.
We will be meeting up with family and friends. There will be lotsa cousins and my friend's kids for my boys to play with and be entertained. I know my lil-man will be so excited about this.
My plan --- to spend time lounging and playing. And if weather permits swimming with Donald -
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You know what's weird? Donald Duck never wore pants. But whenever he's getting
out of the shower, he always put a towel around his waist. I mean, what is that
about?
Labels: resort living
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Special and perfect invite
Published on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 12:15 PM.
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Recall the lil-man's baptism, when I got all new china. It was such a deal! You can read about it here --> Deal or No Deal.
Well for my bebé's upcoming baptism, I found these gorgeous invitations.
Actually that's the Thank You card, but you get the idea. I didn't want to scan the personal real invite, but it looks like what's pictured here.
I found the invites at a local retailer, but could've easily ordered them online. I learned they come from the Bonnie Marcus collection ~ a popular collection used by celebrities (not that it matters). But I feel so hip...as if I'm with it, like with celebrities with-it. Woot!
While this upcoming shindig will be smaller than the lil-man's party --- less invitees, less expensive cake, low-key soirée --- it is still just as special. I hate to see the second child get shafted. Hence these beautiful invites. They felt so right, so special and perfect, just like him.
Labels: artsy fartsy miscellany things, bambinos
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Really tough work
Published on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 10:39 AM.
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I know his words were shared with the intention to help, not to scare. It was a long time ago but I haven't forgotten. This was my brother giving me advice not about being a parent (although that's no cake walk), but about being a spouse.
I'm thinking about it today because a dear friend of mine is facing the end of his 20+ year marriage. He shared his shocking news with me this past weekend.
I've always thought divorce can be harder to deal with (in some ways) than death. As overwhelming as it is, most everyone will have to go through losing someone. You don't have a choice when or how they die. But in divorce there is a decision - an active choice - to leave. Someone chose to leave you or maybe you chose to leave someone, whichever way it is, a preference was made.
And while today is nothing special. Not an anniversary or a birthday. Not the day we met, or even the month we met in. Not a first date or first kiss or anything like it. Just a day like any other day. Another day where the man in my life faces "really tough work" with me.
A day where I want to say thank you --- "You are the best thing."
Labels: be still my beating heart
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"You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers."
Published on Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 11:40 PM.
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On the lips? Um, ok......just as long as I GET THAT LOLLIPOP!
Yummeee
Labels: bambinos
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Fonzie Loves Pinky*
Published on Friday, June 05, 2009 at 10:46 AM.
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As I was getting ready this morning, my husband commented on my pink capri pants.
husband: Hey there, Pinky!
catsteevens: Brushing my teeth...couldn't answer....I raise my eyebrows with a "What? WHAT?!!" look on my face
husband: Pinky Tuscadero! Remember her?
catsteevens: Still brushing teeth. I nod. Yes, yes I do.
husband: You wanted to be her, didn't ya?
catsteevens: Still brushing teeth......still can't speak. So I slap my knees and shoot at him with my fingers --- this was Leather Tuscadero's trademark greeting.
Then we both laughed and toothpaste started to drool out my mouth.
But I got the wrong sister. He said Pinky, I was thinking Leather. Either way, it was cute and my husband made me laugh. Without me saying a word, we both knew what we were talking about.
It makes me happy when we have these weird small connections. I don't think it woulda worked had I married someone a lot older/younger.....someone foreign (who maybe never got a chance to watch the show).....someone who was forbidden to watch television......someone who wasn't a Happy Days fan. Someone who wasn't like me. But instead he is someone who somehow enjoyed the same things I did as a child. True, being different or opposites can bring interest to a marriage, but I like the connection especially the unspoken kind.
I need to remember this. Hold on to it. It helps keep the viruses out ;)
Pinky Tuscadero(Roz Kelly) Former girlfriend of Fonzie. *From the TV show - Happy Days |
I totally forgot about the 'former juvenile delinquent' part. And that Fonzie was a high school drop-out. Hmmm...what the hell kinda show was this anyway?
Labels: be still my beating heart
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Off the charts
Published on Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 3:54 PM.
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So, how about a happy post? A post about my other child, which we've been calling lil-bit (or the lil-one). Funny thing is that lil-bit is not so little. He is much bigger than what the lil-man was at the same age.
At the doctor's office for his 3-month check up:
Th nurse measures and weighs my baby boy. She hands me a sheet with his stats and then leaves as we wait for the doctor.
All of a sudden she returns with two other nurses.
"They don't believe me," she jokingly tells us. Explaining that they don't think she took an accurate measurement of his length. So the nurses re-measure him. They exit and we're left waiting once again.
Then we hear chatter chatter right outside the door.
The doctor swings the door open accompanied with all three nurses and says, "It's not that I don't believe you. It's just extraordinary." He continues, "Most infants grow about 1 to 1 ½ inches a month. He grew 3 inches. That's extraordinary."
He stares at us. Noticing that not only is the father (my husband) tall, but the mother (me!) is also tall. Taller than the average woman kinda tall. TALL. Extraordinary to the doctor, but it doesn't surprise me. Tall parents produce tall children, no? My father is 6'4.
What did surprise me was his weight. Considering his length, my lil-one is doing a great job of keeping the weight up. This is seriously good news for me. Especially since I struggle every day trying to keep some meat on the bones of my other son.
My bebé is in the 75th percentile for weight and off the charts in length. It actually says "off the charts" on the stat sheet they gave me.
Labels: bambinos
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Not da feet-ed yet
Published on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 8:34 AM.
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....how for three months she was a brat, refusing to do anything the first time she was asked, stealing toys on playdates, pitching fits when she didn’t get what she wanted.
from www.damomma.com
Exactly, this is exactly what my lil-man is like right now. Pitching fit after fit. While he was not jealous at first (about his new baby brother), it seems to be settling in now. Like the other morning, when we were both in the bathroom.
Catsteevens: "Don't step on Mommy, please."
Lil-man: Proceeds to intentionally step on my feet
Catsteevens: "I asked you nicely," I said with a bit more sternness. "Don't step on Mommy's feet."
Lil-man: Does it again but this time with a smirk.
I was in a hurry, trying to get ready for work. Having just found out about my Dad's mini-stroke. Patience was not with me at that moment and sadly I yelled at him. I need to remember better ways. And patience.
And this.......
“Positive action yields positive results. Inaction, bad behavior, negativism yield bad results.”
from www.damomma.com
This. It’s so simple, and so obvious, but so easy to forget. As someone who works with young people (older than yours though - teenagers!) this needs to be the basis of the work we do. Children and young people need to be told how awesome they are when they do something well, and this is so rarely done.
from Emsy (damomma reader)
Labels: bambinos
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No small concern
Published on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8:11 AM.
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Because of stormy weather, an urban flood advisory has been issued for the tri-county area as well as most of South/SouthEast Florida through 5:15 p.m., including Dade, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Riviera Beach, Broward and parts of the Keys. |
At the beginning of the week, it was my liver scan. While I don't suspect anything really wrong --- a scanning of your liver can still give you a fright.
Then, in the middle of the week, this phone call:
Mom: "Don't get alarmed, but....your father is in the hospital."
Catsteevens: " !!!! " don't get alarmed...as if !!!!
Mom: "Seems he may have had a mini-stroke."
After hearing the news about my Dad, I thought about George Carlin.*
Yes, odd thought, but..... Carlin had this stand-up act that covered the weird use of certain words. Words that hide the truth. Like friendly-fire, hearing-impaired, jumbo shrimp, and civil war. This is what I thought of when I heard mini-stroke. I don't know about you, but there is no small concern when it comes to a stroke.
My dad is doing fine. He made it to the ER early, which is a good thing. And this week I'll take any of the good things.
*I've added this George Carlin video because it makes me laugh and I needed a good laugh today. But be warned, bad language.
Labels: Inside the medicine cabinet, la familia
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Gallbladder - Part 2
Published on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:27 PM.
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The technician lead me through a hospital maze and into the imaging department. After three private-access-only doors, we arrived to a very large, cold room. The room was filled with HUGE machines and some more technicians. There were several scans already in progress.
I'm still following her when she announces to one of the other techs, "Liver, gallbladder." She was sweet but yelling "liver, gallbladder" out loud kinda made me feel like cattle.
"Um.....wait a minute," I said to them. They looked back as I continued, "You're going to have a problem with that gallbladder." One tech scrunched up her eyebrows and the other asked why? "It was removed over a month ago," I answered him.
"Mmmmkk," he responded.
It's not like an MRI where you're squeezed into it, nor a CT scan where you're scooted in. The machine comes to you.
Looks a bit like this here -
Or kind of like this -
But MUCH LARGER....like this -
And COLDER. Cold as the dead, which is not something you want to feel when you're having health issues. Why can't it be warm and fuzzy? Whatever the reason, it was not.
There is an injection intravenously with a small amount of a radioactive isotope. You lie on a table and the nuclear medicine camera will be above you. The camera tracks the isotope as it moves through your system. Scanning time is a minimum of one hour. The radiologist may ask for additional views. |
Catch up on my gallbladder saga:
Labels: Inside the medicine cabinet
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Stop and remember - Memorial Day
Published on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 3:02 AM.
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Lately I've been reading about Stephanie's husband on Greek Tragedy. I've also been following Da Momma with her precious Schmoopy (I just love that nickname). When people share their stories like this....of such fragile moments in their lives.....it makes me kiss my little ones twice as many times. Or hold them a few seconds longer. It makes me stop.
You see, I'm a complainer. Always looking at what I don't have, or as blackbird would say...."the grass is always greener." Last week, after visiting a new friend's house for the first time, I wanted a bigger, newer house. Today, while shopping with my sister-in-law, I wanted new earrings. This whole weekend all I've done is complain to my husband about missing our annual Memorial Day trip to The River.
I need to stop it. I need to remember what is important. I need to stop being so damn materialistic and wanting more, more, more and bigger, better.
So.....the little things:
I'm in awe that my dog still loves me considering how low on my totem-pole he has dropped. Being able to buy new kitchen towels tonight, and for having a kitchen of my own.
And the not-so-little-things:
I'm appreciative that my neighbors invited us over for dinner tonight. It had been awhile and I miss them.
....plus the bigger things:
The roof over my head, the clothes on my back, the food on my table. The friends and family that sit around that table. The love shared.
And for today (Memorial Day):
For my countrymen and women who died and made it all possible.
Labels: I am woman, on holiday
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